Device and process for the production of angled or double standing seams

ABSTRACT

The disclosure relates to a device for seam closing single or double standing seams. The device includes a guiding element and a seaming element. The seaming element includes at least two seam forming wheels on one side and at least two seam forming wheels on an opposite side. The seam forming wheels are rotatably mounted and the guiding element is slidably connected to the seaming element by positioning rods, with at least one of the positioning rods serving as a bearing pin in at least one region. The guiding element and the seaming element are twistable with respect to each other. A method for the manufacture of single or double standing seams is provided. In addition, the disclosure relates to the use of a device according to the invention for cutting open or removing existing standing seams.

The invention relates to a device for seam closing single or double standing seams on straight and rounded profiled panels, a process for the manufacture of such single or double standing seams with such a device as well as a use of a device according to the invention for cutting open or removing standing seams.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the construction industry, besides facades, in particular roofs of all kinds of buildings are often covered with metal sheets. In doing so, different materials are used, depending on the requirements in terms of deformability, weight, load carrying capacity, corrosion resistance, durability, etc. For example, roofing sheets made of aluminium are characterized by good deformability, low weight and good corrosion resistance. Copper sheets have been used for centuries for the roofing of buildings, wherein, in addition to decorative benefits, the good deformability even at low temperatures and especially the good resistance to plaster, lime and cement are made use of. A roof covered with stainless steel has a very high load carrying capacity as well as excellent corrosion resistance and thus a very long service life. Galvanized steel sheets involving the positive property of solderability constitute a cost-efficient alternative to stainless steel sheets.

Roofing sheets for tin roofs with standing seams exhibit flanges or webs, respectively, on the sheet edges to be joined, which are hooked into one another and subsequently lock-seamed manually with a seaming tool or a seaming machine, whereby a leak-tight connection between the individual roofing sheets is formed. Manual lock-seaming with hand tools is not only uneconomical, but also involves enormous physical strain for the personnel performing the task, especially when thick metal sheets or roofing sheets made of steel are used, which has led to the development of seaming devices and, respectively, seaming machines.

STATE OF THE ART

Due to the motorisation of seaming devices, currently available machines are sometimes very heavy, which, in turn, has a burdensome effect on the personnel performing the task. In addition to high acquisition costs, another disadvantage of the machines used currently is the grid-connected power supply, which may lead to delays, especially in new buildings due to the insufficient supply of the building with electricity. For example, DE 39 02 979 A1 describes a seaming machine comprising a grid-connected permanent-magnet motor and having a weight of about 13.5 kg. Other currently available seaming machines weigh between 16 and 37 kg. Problems occurring additionally, such as the limited possibility of removing the seaming machine from the seam without causing damage to roofing sheets, are solved, for example, by DE 20 2008 011726 U1. Therein, the forming rollers are mounted on two beam-shaped supports, which are detachably interconnected by two circular cylindrical rods. This involves the possibility of generating an angled seam without assistance from a motor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a seaming machine which can be used flexibly, is cost-efficient, has a low weight of about 3.8 kg and is operated electrically without being linked to a power supply system. This object is achieved by a device for seam closing single or double standing seams, comprising a guiding element and a seaming element, wherein the guiding element has at least two guide wheels, with the seaming element exhibiting at least two seam forming wheels on one side and at least two seam forming wheels on the opposite side, the guide wheels and the seam forming wheels being rotatably mounted, wherein the guiding element is connected to the seaming element by means of positioning rods in a distance-variable manner, with at least one of the positioning rods serving as a bearing element, whereby the guiding element and the seaming element are twistable or, respectively, pivotable with respect to each other. In addition, the object is achieved by a process for the manufacture of double standing seams by means of such a device.

The guiding element and the seaming element are preferably made of aluminium or, respectively, aluminium alloys or carbon fibres or, respectively, carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP). Other metals or synthetic materials or combinations thereof which meet the requirements are conceivable as well. The seaming element has essentially two sides, with the two sides having a different set of seam forming wheels, wherein one set of seam forming wheels on one side is preferably provided for the manufacture of angled seams and the other set of seam forming wheels on the opposite side is preferably provided for the manufacture of double standing seams, wherein the seam forming wheels are variable in their sequence or order so as to change, for example, the direction of lock-seaming. Other embodiment variants comprise sets of seam forming wheels for the manufacture of seams of any shape. The guiding element comprises guide wheels which counteract the forces arising due to the seam forming wheels during the lock-seaming process. Instead of wheels, sliding carriages or slide rails are conceivable as an alternative.

The positioning rods are preferably made of silver steel or other steel alloys. The use of other metals or synthetic materials or combinations thereof is possible as well. The positioning rods preferably have a circular cylindrical design, whereas cylinders of essentially any cross-sectional area can be provided. A single positioning rod may have different cross-sectional areas at different regions. At least one positioning rod as a bearing element serves as a pivot bearing or axis of rotation, respectively, wherein the guiding element and the seaming element are slidably interconnected, wherein they are distanced from each other in the open state such that at least one further, preferably two further positioning rods is/are no longer in contact with the seaming element, the seaming element being rotatable or, respectively, pivotable relative to the guiding element. In the closed state, the guiding element and the seaming element are essentially directly adjacent to each other, wherein the at least one positioning rod which does not serve as an axis of rotation defines one of two possible positions of the seaming element relative to the guiding element.

In a particularly preferred embodiment variant, it is provided that the guiding element comprises a force transmission unit, with the force transmission unit comprising a drive element, a drive shaft with a receiving pin, a transmission and at least two gearwheels. The drive element is preferably a cordless hand drill not linked to a power supply system. In other embodiment variants, the drive element can be any electric motor. The drive element may also be linked to a power supply system. The transmission is preferably a chain gear. The drive shaft is driven by the drive element, with a section of the drive shaft being designed as a receiving pin for the drive element. The transmission may also be designed, for example, as a gear, worm, belt or timing belt drive. One gearwheel is driven directly by the drive element, and, due to the transmission, a second gearwheel is preferably driven additionally, with both gearwheels being rotatably mounted within the guiding element.

The seaming element preferably has at least two gearwheels, wherein the at least two gearwheels attached to the seaming element and the two opposite sets of seam forming wheels are rigidly interconnected and have a common axis of rotation. The gearwheels and the seam forming wheels are driven by the at least two gearwheels mounted within the guiding element. The gearwheels of the guiding and seaming element are preferably made of PVC, but they may also be manufactured from steel, bronze, brass or other metals or synthetic materials or combinations thereof. The seam forming wheels are preferably manufactured from steel, e.g., from tool steel or tempering steel, carbide metal or other materials which meet the requirements are also conceivable.

The at least two gearwheels of the force transmission unit and the at least two gearwheels rotatably mounted on the seaming element interlock in the closed state of the guiding element and the seaming element, wherein the at least two guide wheels and at least two seam forming wheels are driven by the drive element via the transmission and the gearwheels.

Preferably, stabilising wheels are provided on the seaming element, with at least one stabilising wheel being rotatably mounted on one side and at least one stabilizing wheel on an opposite side, with the axes of rotation being oriented orthogonally to the direction of lock-seaming. Likewise, stabilising wheels are provided on the guiding element, wherein they are rotatably mounted on the side facing a roof to be covered or a facade to be cladded, with the axes of rotation being oriented orthogonally to the direction of lock-seaming. The stabilising wheels are preferably made of PVC or other synthetic materials.

The process for the manufacture of double standing seams with a device according to the invention comprises manufacturing an angled seam, which takes place first, with the device according to the invention being located at the angled seam position, wherein, at the angled seam position, the set of seam forming wheels performs the lock-seaming operation for the manufacture of angled seams, and subsequently pivoting the seaming element from the angled seam position into the double seam position in the open state, and subsequently manufacturing a double standing seam, with the device according to the invention being located at the double seam position, wherein, at the double seam position, the set of seam forming wheels performs the lock-seaming operation for the manufacture of double seams.

A device according to the invention is likewise suitable for cutting open or removing standing seams, for which purpose at least one cutting wheel is attached, which is connected to the device by means of frontal receiving holes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a device according to the invention for seam closing standing seams in the closed state, comprising a guiding element 10, wherein a side o (G-side) of the guiding element 10 is visible which is opposite to the side u (N-side) closer to the metal sheet to be lock-seamed in the lock-seaming process and which is more remote from the metal sheet, a folding element 20, wherein the side 1 for manufacturing an angled seam is visible, a force transmission unit 40 with a receiving pin 11, a clamping device 16 for commercially available cordless drills with a locking element 15, an adjusting element 12, stabilising wheels 13, 13′, a set of seam forming wheels 23, 23′, 23″ driven by the force transmission unit 40 on the side 1 of the seaming element for manufacturing an angled seam and a clamping element 22 with a fixing screw 21.

FIG. 2 shows a device according to the invention for seam closing standing seams in the closed state, comprising a guiding element 10, wherein a side o (G-side) of the guiding element 10 is visible which is opposite to the side u (N-side) closer to the metal sheet to be lock-seamed in the lock-seaming process and which is more remote from the metal sheet, a folding element 20, wherein the side 2 for manufacturing a double standing seam is visible, a force transmission unit 40 with a receiving pin 11, a clamping device 16 for commercially available drills with a locking element 15, an adjusting element 12, stabilising wheels 13, 13″, a set of seam forming wheels 24, 24′, 24″ driven by the force transmission unit 40 on the side 1 of the seaming element for manufacturing an angled seam and a clamping element 22 with a fixing screw 21.

FIG. 3 shows a device according to the invention for seam closing standing seams in the closed state, wherein the N-side u of the guiding element 10 and the side 1 for manufacturing an angled seam are visible, comprising stabilising wheels 13, 13′, a set of seam forming wheels 23, 23′ driven by the force transmission unit 40, guide wheels 14 and a supporting element 25, receiving holes 17 in the guiding element, receiving holes 27 in the seaming element.

FIG. 4 shows a device according to the invention for seam closing standing seams in the open and thus pivotable state, wherein the N-side u and the side 1 for manufacturing an angled seam are visible, comprising two positioning rods 30, 32 as well as a bearing pin 31 as an axis of rotation for the seaming element 20, two gearwheels 42 rigidly connected to the seam forming wheels 23, 23′.

FIG. 5 shows a device according to the invention for seam closing standing seams in the closed state, wherein the N-side u of the guiding element 10 and the side 2 for manufacturing a double standing seam are visible, comprising stabilising wheels 13, 13″, a set of seam forming wheels 24, 24′ driven by the force transmission unit 40, guide wheels 14 and a supporting element 25.

FIG. 6 shows four stages (a to d) of the development of a double standing seam, wherein the angled seam (a and b) is produced by side 1 of the seaming element and the double standing seam (c and d) is produced by the side 2 of the seaming element after the pivoting process.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In FIGS. 1 to 5, a preferred embodiment of a seaming device according to the invention is illustrated.

The guiding element 10 is preferably manufactured from aluminium or aluminium alloys of all kinds or from carbon fibres or, respectively, CFRP. In one embodiment, the force transmission unit 40 is formed integrally with the guiding element 10. It comprises a chain drive, which is not shown in any of FIGS. 1 to 6, wherein the drive shaft is exposed toward the G-side o of the guiding element 10 and forms a receiving pin 11. In a preferred embodiment variant, the receiving pin 11 is a drill seat. In another embodiment variant, the receiving pin 11 forms a receptacle for drive elements of any design, preferably for electric motors not linked to a power supply system or, respectively, for drive elements driven by rechargeable storages of electric energy.

In a preferred embodiment variant, the guiding element 10 thereby forms the housing of the force transmission unit 40, in another embodiment variant, the guiding element 10 forms a support for the housing of the force transmission unit 40. By driving the receiving pin 11 rigidly connected to a chain wheel, a further chain wheel is actuated via a chain, wherein the chain wheels are, in turn, rigidly connected to gearwheels 41-as well as to the guide wheels 14 and thus have a common axis of rotation, wherein the gearwheels 41 each drive at least one gearwheel 42 in the closed state of the seaming device according to the invention, with the gearwheels 42 being rotatably mounted within the seaming element 20, the gearwheels 42 being rigidly connected in each case to two seam forming wheels 23, 23′ and opposite seam forming wheels 24, 24′, wherein the gearwheels 42 are located between the seam forming wheels 23 and 24 or, respectively, 23′ and 24′ and, in each case, have a common axis of rotation and, consequently, the guide wheels 14 and the seam forming wheels 23′, 23″ and 24′, 24″ have the same rotational speed, with the rotational speed being a function of the drive speed and the gear ratio of the transmission. Other embodiment variants have additional gearwheels or fewer gearwheels. Still other embodiment variants have, instead of a chain drive, e.g., a gear drive, a wedge or timing belt drive, a worm drive or a direct gear transmission ratio onto a gearwheel without a transmission.

In a particular embodiment variant, the gearwheels are made of PVC, other designs allow other conventional materials used for gearwheels such as steel, bronze, brass or other synthetic materials.

The seaming element 20 is preferably manufactured from aluminium or aluminium alloys of all kinds or carbon fibres or, respectively, CFRP. Preferably, the guiding element 10 and the seaming element 20 are made of the same material, in other designs different materials are provided for the guiding element 10 and the seaming element 20, wherein the materials may comprise other materials besides aluminium which have the required properties, such as, for example, steel, titanium aluminium, plastics, cast resin, carbon, GFRP, CFRP etc.

In a preferred embodiment variant, receiving holes 17, 27 are provided on the front sides of the guiding element 10 and the seaming element 20, wherein the attachment of additional seam forming rollers 23″, 24″, additional guide wheels 14 or separating wheels is rendered possible. For example, an already existing standing seam can be cut open or removed by means of cutting wheels. The seam forming wheels (23, 23′, 23″) on one side are essentially in line, accordingly, the seam forming wheels (24, 24′, 24″) on the opposite side are also in line, wherein the diameters of the seam forming wheels must be selected appropriately so as to produce a seam according to requirements. In other embodiment variants, arbitrary positioning of the seam forming wheels is envisaged, and the deviation from the imaginary line is compensated for by changing the diameters. Similarly, the sequence or order of the seam forming wheels can be changed, whereby a change in the direction of lock-seaming is rendered possible.

On the side u of the guiding element 10 which is opposite to the side o, two stabilising wheels 13 are preferably attached, with those wheels rolling on the metal sheet placed directly on the roof along the direction of lock-seaming during the lock-seaming process and the axes of rotation of the stabilising wheels being appropriately oriented orthogonally to the direction of lock-seaming. Together with preferably a stabilising roller 13′ attached on the side 1 for manufacturing an angled seam with the same orientation or, respectively, preferably a stabilising roller 13″ on the opposite side 2 for manufacturing a double standing seam with the same orientation in the region of the clamping element 22, the stabilising wheels form, depending on with which side lock-seaming is performed, a triangle in order to stabilise the seaming device with respect to the distance and the orientation toward the roof surface.

In a preferred embodiment variant, a supporting element 25 is provided, which, when an angled seam is produced, supports the latter in the region of the relevant angle. Said supporting element is preferably a board made of PVC, aluminium, steel, etc.

In a particularly preferred embodiment variant, a commercially available drill 50 is provided as a drive element 60, wherein the drill can be attached to the seaming device according to the invention and, respectively, removed therefrom in a flexible manner. For this purpose, the clamping device 16 has a bow-shaped design and is attached to the force transmission unit 40 in such a way that, when a drill 50 is inserted, the axis of rotation of the drill chuck 51 is aligned with that of the drive shaft 11 (FIG. 6). In a preferred embodiment, the clamping device 16 is adjustable in length so that it can be adapted to commercially available cordless drills of various sizes. By means of a locking element 15 at the end farthest away from the force transmission unit 40, the drill is clamped. In another embodiment variant, the set screw 15 can be provided at any position in the region of the clamping device.

In another embodiment variant, a drive element permanently attached to the guiding element 10 is provided. The clamping device 16 is replaced by a fastening system for a drive element to be fastened to the guiding element 10, wherein the type of the fastening system is constructed depending on the shape and mass of the drive unit.

The clamping element 22 forms the closing mechanism with a positioning rod 31 and an adjusting element 12. By closing the clamping element 22, the guiding element 10 and the seaming element 20 are brought together, with the mutual position being predetermined by the positioning rods 30 and 32. The remaining gap between the guiding element 10 and the seaming element 20, which depends on the sheet thickness to be processed, is adjustable with an adjusting screw 12. In this closed state, the processing operating of lock-seaming is possible.

In a preferred embodiment variant, the clamping element 22 is designed as a quick-release lever. In another embodiment variant, for example, a screw system, a hydraulic system or a semi-mechanical system such as a clamping system consisting of electromagnets is provided as the clamping element 22.

The positioning rods 30, 31, 32 are preferably designed as rods with a circular cylindrical cross-section. In another embodiment, the positioning rods have arbitrary cross-sectional areas. The positioning rods are preferably made of steel, stainless steel, silver steel, tool steel or other metals such as aluminium, aluminium alloys such as, e.g., titanium aluminium, bronze, brass or combinations thereof.

One of the positioning rods 31 preferably has the shape of a bearing pin in one region so as to pivot the guiding element 10 or, respectively, the seaming element 20 from the W-position into the D-position and/or vice versa, wherein, in the W-position, the seam forming wheels 23, 23′, 23″ engage each other for manufacturing an angled seam during a possible lock-seaming process, and, in the D-position, the seam forming wheels 24, 24′, 24″ engage each other on the opposite side for subsequently manufacturing a double seam during a possible lock-seaming process, whereby it is possible to pivot the seaming device according to the invention in the open state (FIG. 4 and FIG. 5), with the open state being brought about by releasing the clamping element 22. Preferably, the positioning rod 31 forming the pivot axis is positioned such that the pivot axis forms an axis of symmetry with respect to a rotation of the guiding element 10 relative to the seaming element 20 so that the axes of rotation of the driven seaming rollers 23, 24 and 23′, 24′ assume the positions of the respective other axis of rotation in the W-position as well in the D-position.

The positioning rod 31 forming the pivot axis preferably connects the guiding element 10 and the seaming element 20 in such a way that an adjusting element 12 and the clamping element 22 delimit, in the open state, a maximum possible distance of the guiding element 10 to the seaming element 20, which is fixed by the length of the positioning rod 31, wherein, in a preferred embodiment variant, two further positioning rods 30, 32 are provided for the exact positioning of the guiding element 10 relative to the seaming element 20, or vice versa, in the W-position as well in the D-position, wherein the two positioning rods 30, 32 are designed shorter than the positioning rod 31 forming the pivot axis so that pivoting is possible in the open state of the seaming device according to the invention. In other embodiment variants, more than two positioning rods are provided for determining the relative position of the guiding element 10 and the seaming element 20, or, in one embodiment variant, only one such or no such positioning rod may be provided, whereas alternative and established methods of determining a position can be provided without such a positioning rod or positioning bolt or positioning element.

In a preferred embodiment variant, the positioning rods are guided in plain bearing bushes made of steel, wherein the plain bearing bushes are pressed or glued into drilled holes in the guiding element 10 and, correspondingly, in the seaming device 20, which are provided therefor. Alternatively, other materials such as bronze, brass, ceramics, Teflon, etc. may be used for the plain bearing bushes. In another embodiment variant, ball bearings or needle bearings are provided.

In a particular embodiment variant of a seaming device according to the invention, a remote control is provided, with the user operating a transmitter and a receiver attached to the seaming device communicating with a control unit, wherein the control unit controls the motor speed of a motor, with the motor driving the seam forming wheels and the guide wheels, as described.

The use of a seaming device according to the invention entails significant advantages. In addition to the weight reduction, the construction with pivot option leads to the possibility of manufacturing an angled seam, or to the possibility of manufacturing a double standing seam. The process for the manufacture of a double standing seam is characterized in that an angled seam is produced with the seaming device according to the invention in the W-position, whereupon the seaming element 20 is pivoted relative to the guiding element onto the D-position, and ultimately the double standing seam is produced. 

1. A device for seam closing single or double standing seams, the device comprising: a guiding element; and a seaming element, wherein the seaming element comprises a set of seam forming wheels on one side and a set of seam forming wheels on an opposite side, the guiding element is slidably connected to the seaming element by positioning rods, with at least one of the positioning rods serving as a bearing element in at least one region, wherein the guiding element and the seaming element are twistable with respect to each other.
 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the set of seam forming wheels on one side is configured to manufacture an angled seam, and the set of seam forming wheels on an opposite side is configured to manufacture double standing seams.
 3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the guiding element comprises a force transmission unit.
 4. The device according to claim 3, wherein the force transmission unit comprises: a drive element not linked to a power supply system, a drive shaft with a receiving pin, a transmission, and at least two gearwheels.
 5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the seaming element comprises at least two gearwheels, wherein the at least two gearwheels are attached to the seaming element and the at least two seam forming wheels are rigidly interconnected and have a common axis of rotation.
 6. The device according to claim 4, wherein the at least two gearwheels of the force transmission unit and the at least two gearwheels attached to the seaming element interlock in a closed state of the guiding element and the seaming element.
 7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the at least two gearwheels attached to the seaming element and the two opposite sets of seam forming wheels are rigidly interconnected and have a common axis of rotation.
 8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the seaming element comprises at least one stabilizing wheel on the one side and at least one stabilising wheel on the opposite side, the stabilizing wheels being rotatably mounted, with the axes of rotation being oriented orthogonally to a direction of lock-seaming.
 9. The device according to claim 4, wherein the drive element comprises an electric motor not linked to a power supply system is a commercially available cordless drill.
 10. The device according to claim 3, wherein the force transmission unit comprises a clamping device for commercially available drills.
 11. The device according to claim 1, further comprising at least one cutting wheel.
 12. The device according to claim 11, wherein the at least one cutting wheel is attached by means of receiving holes.
 13. A process for manufacturing double standing seams with a device that includes a guiding element and a seaming element, wherein the seaming element comprises a set of seam forming wheels on one side and a set of seam forming wheels on an opposite side, and the guiding element is slidably connected to the seaming element by positioning rods, with at least one of the positioning rods serving as a bearing element in at least one region, wherein the guiding element and the seaming element are twistable with respect to each other, the process comprising: manufacturing an angled seam, with the device being located at an angled seam position; subsequently pivoting the seaming element from the angled seam position into a double seam position; manufacturing a double standing seam, with the device being located at the double seam position. 